Climate Resilience Candidates Forum

Climate resilience begins with people. It is the collective response by the residents and government of Cambridge that is paramount in creating a resilient community today and ensuring a place, space, and sustenance for all in the future.

Green Cambridge, in collaboration with Cambridge Mothers Out Front, the Cambridge Residents Alliance, A Better Cambridge, and Cambridge Bicycle Safety, invites you to participate in our Candidates’ Night Climate Resilience Forum on Tuesday, September 26th 6:30-9 PM at the Cambridge Senior Center. Our groups have a shared vision of a connected, affordable, sustainable city that prioritizes the health and well-being of current and future Cantabrigians.

Moderated by Cantabrigian Derrick Jackson, an award-winning journalist , former Boston Globe columnist, author, and fellow with the Union of Concerned Scientists, this event offers the candidates running for Cambridge City Council an opportunity to to reflect on and to share with voters ways in which they would bring bring greater resilience to our community.

Join Us at the Forum!

Citywide Senior Center806 Massachusetts Avenue

Tuesday, September 26th 6:30-9 PM Childcare provided

Partnering Organizations

A Better Cambridge (ABC) is committed to building a more diverse and sustainable city, with housing for all people. We support increased housing of all kinds, smart, eco-friendly density, and growth that is public-transit centered, to create vibrant, walkable, bikeable, livable neighborhoods.

We have come together to call for a Cambridge that is safer for everyone, a city where bicycling is safe and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.

Mothers Out Front Cambridge is the local team of the national organization of mothers, grandmothers, and caregivers who are united in our belief that we need to act NOW to ensure a healthy, vibrant climate for all children.

Questionnaire Responses

11 Candidates responded to our 5 question survey. They are listed as they were submitted.

Gregg Moree25 Fairfield St., 02140

In the face of our shared climate realities, what are your top three priorities for Cambridge as a city councilor?

Education and jobs are my first two priorities. Renewable energy on all public buildings would be my next, but not least.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

They should be connected through programs aimed at making alternative energy more available on existing buildings and mandatory on new construction.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

Elderly, lower income and youths are the most marginalized. Education about alternative energy is important, as is lowering bills through alternative energy. I have long been a proponent of mandatory Youth Apprenticeship programs in all new construction; and that would include programs in building alternative energy sources.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

I would limit expansion and insure mandatory alternative energy for businesses in Cambridge.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

I think that the strategy that is most important is educating all residents about the possibilities. Education is often the key to handling situations by knowing what to do.

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

I support right to remain and flood insurance should be available. A more cooperative partnership between Cambridge and MEMA would also help.

In the face of our shared climate realities, what are your top three priorities for Cambridge as a city councilor?

1) Make sure the climate vulnerability study results are fully incorporated into our Envision Cambridge masterplan, 2) make sure the net zero action plan is being duly implemented and has the support it needs, and 3) make sure the tree task force gets off the ground and produces the result we need so we can protect our tree canopy which is crucial to our climate resilience.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

We need to build 100% affordable, net zero housing wherever we can. Vail Court is the perfect opportunity to get started with that kind of approach. We need to have a plan for implementing a city-wide network of protected bike lanes, we should explore expanding local municipal shuttle bus service (ideally electric or at least plug-in hybrid) to help residents get around, with FREE service for those who can't afford to pay, including everyone under 18, and we need to install more public EV charging stations to encourage switching to EVs.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

Immigrant communities, the economically disadvantaged, the elderly, young children and people of color. I would seek to provide for their most basic needs in the most sustainable way possible: affordable housing that is net zero, free locally produced fresh food, better transportation options, 100% renewable energy via community solar, education in net zero schools, universal broadband and zero waste practices. Clear plans based on the vulnerability study and the Envision Cambridge process, for how we will prepare for heat waves, flooding, hurricanes, etc. to make sure that ALL community members will be protected. Only after these basic needs have been met can we start to ask people to think about what else they can do about climate change. I would encourage Green Cambridge to continue organizing Climate Congress type events to bring the community together in an ongoing conversation about climate change and to make sure that the most vulnerable and marginalized communities are adequately represented at such events so that their voices can be heard.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

We definitely need to look at protecting trees on private property. We also need to implement the planned requirements in the net zero action plan, which include higher energy efficiency performance, solar ready and eventually requiring solar, and constructing net zero buildings. We should consider a phase-out of combustion engine vehicles in the city and a full switch to electric vehicles over the next decade or so. We should consider a phase out of burning natural gas from drilling and eventually require that natural gas for combustion be obtained from sustainable sources (landfill methane capture, anaerobic digestion, e.g.). We should standardize on air-sourced and ground-sourced heat pumps as the preferred heating and cooling solution, with electric resistance as back-up, instead of the current standard of natural gas combustion. This could mean e.g. disallowing the installation of natural gas burners after a certain date, e.g. 2035 (since we've pledged to switch to 100% renewable energy by then).

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

Raise the resident parking permit fee so that we have more funding for VMT reduction. Adjust our zoning to require fewer parking spaces in new developments and to restrict flood-prone area development, and to require more green space and greenscape as part of development. Promote and fund depaving and increase the scale of such activity. Continue to promote renewable energy through the CEA programs, and include new programs around community solar. Create incentives for using private property for food production, including property tax reductions, public recognition, city funding, technical assistance, and guaranteed contracts (e.g. guarantee the purchase of a certain amount of produce by the city from a local farm/garden e.g. for use in the schools).

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

Two urgent priorities need to be planned for and implemented: 1) we need to have a standby solution for rapid evacuation of the city in the face of a dangerous storm. This means being ready to have buses show up and transport people, having ambulances and special needs vehicles ready for patients and handicapped people, etc. We cannot, cannot, must NOT assume that everybody can just get in their own car and drive away :-( 2) we need to establish cooling centers and have them ready for catastrophic heat wave events. It's not a matter of if, but when! Designated cooling centers need to be on a microgrid with solar panels to be able to run air conditioning units 24/7 during a heatwave and power outage. We need to clearly establish who is responsible for planning and preparing for these type of events, just as we have clearly established that firefighters will respond to fires, hospitals/EMTs to injuries, police to crime reports, etc. We need a similar level of preparedness for extreme weather events and right now we don't have anything close to that!

In the face of our shared climate realities, what are your top three priorities for Cambridge as a city councilor?

If re-elected, I will continue to be a fierce advocate for sustainability & environmental protection. I will:1) Advocate for a greater focus on biking, carpooling, improved transit infrastructure, car sharing, and reducing single-occupancy vehicle transportation to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and combat the effects of climate change. I encourage cooperation with state officials to address regional transportation issues and to improve public transit service through Cambridge. I will fight to concentrate increased density near existing transit hubs, with robust Traffic Demand Measures and reduced parking ratios.2) Prioritize public open space in the citywide planning process. Land is scarce in Cambridge, and our growth plan must recognize that we need new parks and more green to offset increased population density. The Volpe Center redevelopment offers an opportunity to create a large public park in the heart of Kendall Square that links to a network of green spaces.3) Ensure the council’s adherence to Policy Order #109 (that I proposed) which resolved: that the council go on record urging the Cambridge Legislative Delegation in the State Legislature to do everything in its power to bring MA closer to 100% renewable energy by 2035; that the council go on record supporting a goal of using 100% clean and renewable energy in Cambridge, by 2035; and that the City of Cambridge will continue to take concrete actions to promote clean energy and reduce fossil fuel use.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

Planning for sustainable growth that prioritizes socio-economic diversity and affordable housing must also recognize the imperative to build in resilience to climate change and to proactively improve multi-modal transportation infrastructure to support any growth. Environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation are necessarily linked, which is why I support holistic planning that begins by listening to residents and neighborhood businesses, and engages all stakeholders early and often throughout the planning process. We must create more workforce and affordable housing to meet regional demand, but we also need to improve our transportation infrastructure, preserve public open space and add neighborhood amenities like small retail and civic uses to support the additional density.

The process of rezoning and redeveloping the Volpe parcel in Kendall Square presents the opportunity for a nuanced discussion about what the community needs and what community benefits (financial contributions), public open space, transit improvements, and grad student housing should be required to support and balance an unprecedented level of density for our city. The Volpe redevelopment will have a huge impact on residents of the adjacent neighborhoods that are already experiencing displacement. Preserving some of the mature trees on the site should be a priority; much of the site is green and permeable now and we can’t risk turning it into another heat island.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

My own neighborhood near Fresh Pond, Danehy Park, and Alewife Reservation is blessed with some of the city’s largest open space resources. But with increased precipitation, sea level rise and rising temperatures predicted by mid-century, it is also one of the most vulnerable to flooding and the urban heat island effect. Much of the soil is non-porous and heavily contaminated with the area’s legacy of brickyards, dumps, and industrial uses, and the air quality is diminished by traffic congestion on Fresh Pond Parkway. Our water supply at Fresh Pond could be at risk if the area floods.

I’ve made it a top priority to be deeply involved in community meetings and hearings about development in this area. In fact, it was the development of this area that sparked my initial interest in city government. Alewife has seen an enormous amount of change in recent years and is facing even more development. Future development must be planned more thoughtfully to address the anticipated threats to the environment and public health. We can’t put our most vulnerable residents in areas with uncertain futures. For this reason, I have been active in the Envision Alewife process, which I fear has not yet adequately incorporated the findings of the climate change vulnerability assessment and will put more residents at risk of flooding if dense housing is part of the plan. We need more permeable open space and better connections to transit in the Alewife Quad.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

One way I would prioritize community is by updating our tree policies. Currently our laws offer no protections for trees on private property, and most of our tree canopy is on non-public land. Trees are going to play an even more important role as our climate warms and we need to recognize that privately “owned” trees have a value to the entire community so if they must be removed there must be a financial compensation to a public tree fund to plant, water and maintain more new trees.

Another priority is passing an outdoor lighting ordinance to limit light pollution and intrusion and reduce waste consumption and tougher restrictions on leaf blowers; light and noise are both known health risks. Leaf blowers also stir up toxic particulates that harm the people operating them.

I have advocated for our retirement fund to divest from fossil fuels and think that the city should accelerate the conversion of the entire municipal vehicle fleet to EVs.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

In addition to the strategies I outlined in question 1, I will (continue to) actively support: - The creation of new pedestrian and bike connections across the commuter rail tracks to connect Rindge Ave. to Danehy Park and the Alewife “Triangle” on Cambridge Park Drive and to the “Quad” area off Concord Ave- Expanding the regional bike network by connecting the Fresh Pond area to Watertown with a new Greenway path along the former rail line and by constructing the Grand Junction Path through East Cambridge and Kendall/MIT- Community choice aggregation - electricity supply will be at least 25% from renewables- More charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and potential financial incentives- Investing in renewable energy sources and a commitment to net-zero emissions- Eliminating solid waste incineration - Incineration has been proven to accelerate climate change and has severe health consequences- The City’s urban agriculture initiative, municipal recycling collection for small businesses, and the citywide roll-out of home compost collection- Partnering with local environmental groups like Green Cambridge and Mothers Out Front on new policy initiatives- Continued work to protecting our tree canopy, both on public and private property- Improved public transit service within and through Cambridge, such as bus priority lanes on arterial routes and adding an Alewife station on the Fitchburg commuter rail line- Zoning restrictions in the Alewife floodplain area

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

I would start by trying to convince our planners not to zone the Alewife floodplain as an area suitable for more dense housing as a means of meeting the demand for affordable units. But we have already placed thousands of new residents in an area known to be at great risk of flooding so we need to have an action plan for how they will be safely evacuated and sheltered during a major flood. Many older homes in the surrounding areas will need expensive retrofits to withstand increased precipitation and storm surge in the coming years. It is important that we use up-to-date flood maps to inform property owners of the risks to come and create and identify grant programs to help them prepare. Increased heat also will affect vulnerable populations so cooling centers may be needed. The Alewife area so far has been planned and developed without any civic spaces where residents could take shelter and without adequate open permeable spaces to absorb flood water. Residents of East Arlington and other communities along the Mystic River floodplain will also be affected so we should be planning closely with those towns. Rt. 2 and Rt. 16 could be flooded but are also major evacuation routes so we will have to coordinate closely with state emergency management officials. I look forward to seeing the city’s forthcoming Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience Plan.

In the face of our shared climate realities, what are your top three priorities for Cambridge as a city councilor?

My top three priorities related to climate change include:1.Require new commercial development to meet Net Zero standards2.Continue to move Cambridge toward 100% renewable energy3.Require new residential development to build for 2070 flood levels

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

This is a complex question. We need to ensure that our housing, especially affordable housing, is prepared for flooding. If we don’t, then those with fewer resources will be hurt most. We can only squeeze a limited number of cars on our city streets. The only option we have is to vastly improve public transit. Cambridge’s hands are tied in some respects; we don’t control the MBTA. Cambridge can help with funding, as we did with the Green Line extension. We do, however, control the city’s traffic flow, which is why I support efforts to computerize the city’s intersections. This would give priority to buses, as well as improve public safety by allowing emergency responders faster and safer trips. It would decrease idling and limit vehicle speed, making our streets safer for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. We should also reduce or eliminate the parking requirement for new development near transit hubs and require developers to provide yearly Charlie Cards and Zip Car memberships to their tenants. I also sponsored a policy order directing the City to replace its fleet of vehicles with electric vehicles where possible. We need to lead by example.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

The most vulnerable or marginalized communities are those with fewer financial and infrastructure resources and located in flood plains. Although we have great affordable housing programs, we must be careful not to put already vulnerable people in more vulnerable positions. That is why I support the highest and most strict flood mitigation requirements for new development. We, as a city, need to ensure that we are educating, communicating and supporting these communities, including helping with financial support should floods damage their housing.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

First off, we must insist and require that developers prioritize resident concerns. Regarding open space, one of the reasons I support taller buildings in certain locations is because we can then utilize more of the project footprint for open space. Take Volpe for example, with 10 acres of land, if we build fewer, but taller building, we will have more of those acres for green space. If we build more, shorter buildings then they will take up more of the footprint and we will get less open space. I would approach this question a bit differently. Instead of “what limits”, I would say, “what requirements”. I think we can require the highest level of flood mitigation, Net Zero construction, percentage requirements for open space etc.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

Decrease net carbon emissions from buildings, both residential and commercial. Although these two require vastly different approaches, they both have enormous potential for energy savings through design, retrofitting, and other techniques. One of the first things I did after being elected in 2014 was to reach out to Quinton, HEET and the City to create a residential solar incentive program to make it easier for homeowners to install solar panels. We should be helping homeowners convert away from heating oil, install energy efficient windows and take other measure for greater energy efficiency. New commercial buildings can - and should - comply with net zero standards and higher-level LEED standards. Savvy cities have permitted only specially designed development in flood zones, and have ensured that the surface runoff has remained on the property; not just diverted to nearby streams that cannot absorb the increased flow. This would be important with new development in Alewife.No matter what Cambridge does, ocean levels will continue to rise, and Cambridge needs to prepare for that eventuality.

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

Although not a flood, when many lost their homes during the Berkshire Street fire, I supported policies that are helping residents rebuild more quickly. We would need to do the same for those impacted by floods. The City should help families rebuild by making changes to zoning if needed, partnering with local banks to secure low-interest loans, require flood insurance for those living in flood plains and helping those who live in city, affordable housing programs; people we know are low income, rebuild and replace what they have lost.

In the face of our shared climate realities, what are your top three priorities for Cambridge as a city councilor?1. Ensure that the recommendations outlined in the Cambridge Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA), the Envision Cambridge Climate and Environment Working Group (which is still in progress), and the Net Zero 25-year Action Plan are implemented as swiftly as possible. Our city, residents, and consulting partners have done the heavy lifting to identify our top priorities. We need our city council to put them in action. 2. Given that buildings generate over 80% of our city's greenhouse gas emissions, I will advocate to update the zoning codes and push our developer partners to use green building technologies. Today's buildings need to better reflect our future. 3. Advocate for the continued expansion of our composting program so that it reaches every resident and business in the city by 2024.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

A thriving, livable city requires that we take care of the environment to protect our future, that we have a diverse community that can afford to live here, and that economic opportunity is distributed equitably throughout the city. In Cambridge we seek the ideal city, and that's what it requires.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

I am running for city council because I believe we need our city council to put more focus and funding into the neighborhoods that need it most. Our neighbors in the Port, Wellington-Harrington, Riverside, the Coast, and East Cambridge are often struggling to make ends meet and are also disproportionately impacted by climate change - as evidenced by the 2010 flooding emergency and the flooding analysis conducted by the city. We have recently launched a storm-water management system that will help. But, that said, no single policy or program is going to be a panacea. What we need is a city council that makes these communities our city's top priority and brings them into the conversation. That is my promise as a city councilor.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

As a vibrant, urban, and growing city, Cambridge must adopt more shared use policies for land and space. We should be asking our private commercial owners of parks and green space to make them available to the public. We need to embrace the idea of shared parking spaces so that they can be used for a variety of uses throughout the day, regardless of the owner. We also need to update our zoning code so that it better reflects today's modern economy and future needs. For instance, we have built residential units near Alewife that are adjacent to industrial use. We need to re-assess this level of proximity as well as others throughout the city.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

Wow, this is a lot to answer in a single question. I support all of these initiatives and would champion them as a city councilor. I think a lot can be accomplished by updating our zoning and development codes.

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

As part of our vulnerability assessment, we should be looking at insurance policies and other humanitarian needs that would result in the event of a climate-related disaster. That said, I think it's important to remember a recent event when our city really stepped up in a big way to help residents caught in an unexpected disaster. Last December our city experienced a devastating 10-alarm fire in the Wellington/Harrington neighborhood that destroyed houses and displaced more than 160 residents. Within 48 hours the city had posted a fundraising page and set up a Disaster Relief Center that helped coordinate services and distribute necessary items. The fund raised $700,000, blowing away the goal of $500. All families were taken care of and many are still being supported today with resources and help. This event is a testament to our city government's staff and councilors at their best. While not the scale of hurricane Harvey, it shows that we take care of our residents when calamity hits. In addition, we have a significant "rainy day" fund. I would expect that we rise to the occasion again.

Make renewable energy more affordable by exploring new funding models. We can bring Cambridge closer to being a 100% renewable energy and Net-Zero city by supporting carbon offset projects, such as community gardens, open-green space, tree plantings, retaining rainwater; and, pursue other sustainability projects.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

I’m committed to ensuring that our at-risk areas and populations are not disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental threats. As Cambridge grows and our climate changes rapidly--with sea level rise, flooding, urban heat and extreme weather (from storms to heat waves), we must continue our commitment to sustainability. It’s critical that our sustainability and environmental measures do not leave behind the most vulnerable. We must emphasize environmental justice so that all residents can live in safe and healthy neighborhoods with clean air and water, open community space and playgrounds, reliable public transit and safe biking network, renewable energy, and high-quality jobs and services. Applying this equity lens will ensure that when we’re developing and implementing our resiliency, emergency response system, infrastructure, sustainability and housing affordability plans, we’re including our diverse voices and holding all stakeholders accountable to all residents and neighborhoods--especially those in or near the most at-risk areas: Alewife, Fresh Pond, and East Cambridge.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

Climate change is a social, economic, human rights and health issue and will require bold action and city-wide engagement that includes our vulnerable and marginalized neighbors. Marginalized community members in particular lack resources and advocates to stand up for their needs. This includes children, seniors (especially those who live alone), immigrant and non-English speakers, low-income or low-educated individuals and families, women, and communities of color. They often lack the resources, time and ability to come together as an organized voice to stand up for their needs and fight against challenges. To build partnerships, I would strongly advocate for more diverse and inclusive community outreach and engagement to our vulnerable and marginalized communities. These initiatives must be held in convenient locations and times and include meetings and discussions where there are interpreters, translated outreach and educational documents, childcare, and food. For some communities, door-to-door and phone outreach is necessary, and I will collaborate with neighborhood, business, religious, social, student, housing and environmental organizations to organize the outreach and engagement and get the tools and resources to the communities. I’m committed to making environmental justice a priority in Cambridge and surrounding communities to ensure that we are part of the climate change action and implementation plans.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

Commercial, academic, industrial and financial entities that benefit from host communities should contribute and be accountable to residents. To mitigate climate/environmental impact and meet community needs, I would use zoning and community benefits agreements and, when appropriate, require traffic impact studies and environmental impact reports. I support current recommendations to use zoning to continue to encourage pedestrian-scaled mixed-use development, with residential infill throughout the city; conduct consistent open space review during the permitting process for development projects to incorporate public open space into project design; provide incentives for planting trees and creating additional green space open to the public; and create appealing small-scale public gathering spaces with well-adapted vegetation. I would advocate for community benefits agreements that are people-centered and part of the solutions for increasing affordable housing, sustainable living wage jobs to residents, workforce development, space for local businesses and women and minority businesses, early childcare and education, infrastructure, and open space, among others. I’m open to exploring other mechanisms that will foster collaboration and improve the health and safety of our city and residents.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

Cambridge can be a model for sustainability and lead in these efforts. As our City continues with our Net Zero and Vision Zero commitments--we must further invest in public and sustainable transit options and promote use of public transit, walking and biking. We should include a delivery network plan and add to the bike network plan to prevent delays in the implementation of a safe bike network. To have a better understanding of how we can and should limit development in the flood-prone areas and create locally generated renewable energy, I’ll advocate for coordination among the planning efforts for resiliency, Envision, housing and Net-Zero and a tracking system to hold all stakeholders accountable and work collaboratively to meet our goals. To restore our urban ecologies and support urban agriculture--I’ll supporting carbon offset projects, such as community gardens, open-green space, and tree plantings, retaining rainwater; and, pursue other sustainability projects.

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

Climate change is already a reality that has resulted in the devastation of communities across the world due to extreme weather events. In addition to emergency preparedness and recovery efforts, we also need to plan ahead for infrastructure that mitigates the impacts of superstorms like Harvey. We can weather the storm together, but only if we do provide flood insurance assistance; frequent educational outreach to build awareness of extreme weather and preparedness and relief plans; emergency response plans that include social, mental and health support and housing; strengthen collaboration with our regional partners and cities; and, provide safe and affordable housing options. These are the kinds of solutions I would bring to Cambridge City Council.

In the face of our shared climate realities, what are your top three priorities for Cambridge as a city councilor?

Our environment's resources are scarce, and our consumption of these scarce resources is negatively affecting our ecosystem. Cambridge has a responsibility to work to reduce its carbon footprint. I want to help increase the intersectionality of Cambridge’s approach to environmental challenges, and particularly to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change. As a city councilor, my priorities include: Complying with the City's Net Zero Action Plan. This includes increasing outreach regarding net zero and implementing ideas of the Net Zero Task Force, Accommodating flooding in new development- utilizing rain screen construction methods, protecting the property of residents, storing wastewater, protecting utilities, and elevating backup generators and electrical rooms above ground level, and examining the San Francisco Carbon Fund to evaluate what parallels may be drawn to the context of Cambridge. San Francisco passed an ordinance establishing the San Francisco Carbon Mitigation Program to mitigate and sequester carbon by: requiring City departments to pay Carbon Impact Payments—a 13% surcharge for each airline ticket purchased for staff and funding carbon offset projects like community gardens and tree plantings and funds projects to retain storm water, cool temperatures, filter air, and more.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

We must increase the quality, availability, and accessibility of public transportation, as it plays an important role in reducing Cambridge’s carbon footprint and energy consumption and promotes healthy transportation. High-quality public transit provides residents with an incentive not to drive, and should be accessed equally regardless of income, neighborhood, or ability.

I would subsidize the MBTA and commuter rail fares for low income individuals, as well as bike sharing programs like Hubway. I would encourage more residential construction within walking distance of a T stop or frequently running bus line. I would explore upzoning along Prospect Street between Central Square and Inman Square, in light of the future Green Line stop at Union Square. I would also keep in mind the populations in our community that most need access to public transit, such as disabled people and senior citizens. Infrastructure and housing should be built which accommodates these folks, because it may be harder for them to bike or walk long distances. Encouraging greater residential development where people work would also put less stress on the transit system overall.

Cambridge should also map the routes of private commuter bus services, such as Biogen, and hotel shuttles, and study the number of passengers taking these services and the capacity of the vehicles. If there is space aboard these services, members of the public should be allowed aboard them.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

I see the most vulnerable and marginalized communities affected by climate change as our low-income populations. As a Muslim woman of color, one of my top priorities is promoting the interests of marginalized groups in Cambridge. One of my ideas to partner with these communities is to promote access to the City Council by bringing City Council meetings to residents. This would entail hosting meetings around the city (such as the Rindge Towers, or at one of our many youth centers). As I’ve door knocked, I’ve observed that many residents are unfamiliar with who the City Council is, and what its policies are. We must think about ways to engage as many voices as possible, especially as the effects of climate change are likely to impact these populations most adversely.

I took an environmental justice class at my alma mater, Brown University. One of the requirements of the course was to create a service learning project. I teamed up with a public housing authority and residents to make homemade household cleaners. I also co-taught a curriculum to students and parents regarding safe cleaning techniques. This was an enriching experience because I grew up in public housing and my mom would clean with products that are considered toxic and unsafe. It was important for these families to understand how it is easy to implement safer cleaning techniques that are cheaper and better for the environment. We can pilot similar initiatives here.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

I agree that equitable and sustainable land use is extremely important to the health and longevity of our city. I would support the following activities:

Parkland, play areas, and sports fields are precious commodities, especially in the more densely populated areas and urban centers of the state. Often, a community that needs land for a new municipal facility, police/fire station, or school, will include these parks in their list of potential sites for municipal development. Therefore, I would oppose any effort to take parklands unless (i) a substitute equivalent space that properly serves the affected community is constructed (aka ‘no net loss’) and (ii) there is no viable alternative.

Additionally, I would support using community funds to purchase and protect open spaces and woods within Cambridge. I would support compact, mixed-use, transit-oriented re-development that preserves open spaces, locates population near employment opportunities, and mitigates vehicle traffic. And I would oppose sprawl and subsidies for developing on undeveloped land and support the enforcement of impact fees on new developments.

It should also be incumbent on developers who are seeking a variance to provide community benefits, such as paying into a transit fund, or ensuring a quantity and arrangement of open space that is supported by residents.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

First, I would promote policies that allow more people to live in urban environments near transit nodes. This will help reduce car usage (and vehicle emissions) in Cambridge and prevent further suburban sprawl.

Second, I would work to increase the city’s operating and capital budgets for city energy projects in order to expand local renewable energy generation, efficiency retrofits of buildings, district heating, electric vehicle charging stations, and other climate-friendly infrastructure.

Additionally, I would support the construction and installation of clean power generation (such as solar, wind, small hydro, heat pumps) in Cambridge, whether on public or private lands. Cambridge has teamed up with EnergySage to bring homes solar power. Individuals can utilize a solar map to get an estimate of their building’s solar energy potential.

Finally, I would support the Green Tenant Declaration, which outlines what is expected of tenants, such as decreasing their carbon output by lessening energy and water use, increasing recycling, and relying more on public transportation and bicycles. A similar declaration could be used in public facilities so that we can push for a reduction of water and power.

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

Protecting the safety and welfare of vulnerable residents is a priority. Some policies to protect these populations include:

In the face of our shared climate realities, what are your top three priorities for Cambridge as a city councilor?

Continue all the great efforts by city and non-profits. In addition:

Focus on the Alewife Plan as an Environmental Prototype – The Alewife area is being incorrectly developed. Given the dramatic climate changes underway, we should be incorporating extensive water storage and drainage options and advocating strongly for the creation of an open space system to help balance flooding concerns and other outcomes of negative environmental change.

Think Holistically – it’s easy to make decisions with short-term success in mind, but given natural cycles and historic and scientific knowledge, it’s clear that all decisions must be based on the longer-term point of view. It’s foolish to develop anywhere in Cambridge without fully understanding all possible environmental, societal, and economic community affects.

Continue Being a Leader– part of being a counselor is sharing your expertise and experience with your colleagues and fellow residents. I have the ability and the conviction of my beliefs to convincingly convey what is the right and economically smart way to proceed. To me, this is all about serving the public good. I fought for the plastic bag ban after eight years of Council discussions, and won. When I was approached by Mothers Out Front, we discussed the possibility of maximizing clean energy for city buildings and together, we got it approved. My continuously bringing up the need to lower speed limits on our streets led to Cambridge’s safer limits of 25 and 20 mph.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

True sustainability is about promoting a full and healthy life for all people. This is what Cambridge is perceived to be all about. Now we are forced to live up to that. By encouraging development that blends with Cambridge’s urban fabric and follows good urban design guidelines, making our streets safer and more efficient for all modes of transportation, and switching at least our public buildings to 100% renewable energy, Cambridge can achieve its existential goals. Human-scale development requires less energy (no matter the source) to run, produces less ambient heat, is easier to protect from environmental threats, and is more amenable to public transit integration. This is part of what I do as an urban designer and I am focused on making positive change. Dramatic changes in climate, the local economy, and inadequate public funding and vision regarding affordable housing and transit connections, have led us to an upcoming crisis that many cities are not going to be able to handle. Fortunately, Cambridge is unique as a regional hub of knowledge and talent with its own substantial financial resources. We have a duty to find ways to put those human and financial resources to use for the benefit of the entire City.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

The least advantaged communities (or neighborhoods) are typically located in the lowlands, which is also the least expensive land. Wealthier people tend to live on higher ground. Over the last few years, the city has begun a major engineering effort to help the flooding situation. Although efforts to improve the green infrastructure along the Little River have been successfully implemented, additional programs both in Alewife and the Port must become part of the city’s strategy. Just as the city must correctly plan for Alewife's ongoing development, efforts should be made to subsidize the costs of current residents in stabilizing their homes and bringing their structures to a more resilient status. Clearly education, assistance, and financial incentive should be part of the city plan. Flooding will continue in these areas and we, as city leaders, must be strong partners in dealing with the rising waters. At the same time, the city should emphasize tree planting, maximizing public and private open space, and common sense zoning.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

We are all in this together. Yet, we know that “big money” and large entities (typically private corporations and institutions) have the resources and expertise to get their ways. We must stand up to this at the Council and Planning Board levels and make sure these large entities play by the rules in addition to contributing tangible benefits to the surrounding neighborhoods. As Co-Chair of the Ordinance Committee, I have told MIT (one of the largest landholders in the city) that there are three regional planning issues that must be resolved in concert with the potential approval of MIT's petition for the Volpe properties. They all deal with surrounding neighborhood needs including housing, transportation, and job training. Our main focus in the redevelopment plan is creating a public space system, its connection to the surrounding area, and its relationship to climate resiliency. Zoning and equally important architectural and urban design guidelines are being developed to highlight all important public needs, including a strong ecological response.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

The most beautiful cities in the world are in balance with nature and maximize the best of technology to enhance quality of life. In my mind this question is in part answered by excellent urban design based on a highly principled planning strategy for Cambridge. I believe Cambridge has the commitment to follow the questions broad-based approach but does not fully commit the funds to implement such a strategy. This is what the next few years must focus on. With your help I with some of my colleagues already to take this effort on. In the interest of saving space, please refer to my answers on questions 1 and 2 for related, more specific solution details.

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

Good government has to step in to protect its people. We have no choice if we are going to live up to being the city that we say we are. The specific policies and programs mentioned in this question are absolutely what we need. However, knowing how decisions are typically made in Cambridge, I somewhat fear a disaster has to occur before the city puts into effect these kinds of problem-solving programs. This is a product of shortsighted thinking. We know what the existing problems and potential catastrophes are. If we are going to act to protect the most vulnerable communities in Cambridge, we must focus on developing long-term solutions by planning for them now.

In the face of our shared climate realities, what are your top three priorities for Cambridge as a city councilor?

I see incredible possibilities for Cambridge to both make progress within existing task forces and initiatives as well as spearheading new efforts to create a more sustainable community for everyone. My top priorities within this framework include the Net Zero Action Plan, Climate Change Preparedness Plan, and improving infrastructure around the Cambridgeport area to stop flooding. In the Fiscal Year 2016 Progress Report for the Net Zero Action Plan, one of the objectives listed as at risk for falling behind included the market-based incentive program. The goal for the upcoming year is to partner with both Harvard and MIT to recruit student researchers -- I believe I’m well positioned to facilitate this work. I fully support goals to increase green building requirements via zoning ordinances in Cambridge. As a city councilor, I hope to help speed goals toward increased building insulation within the Net Zero Action Plan. As a city councilor, I’ll be actively involved in monitoring and engaging the Climate Change Preparedness Plan. I plan to act on the results of the Fresh Pond-Alewife neighborhood pilot, taking into account community responses to expand preparedness for all of Cambridge. Through partnership with Envision Cambridge and other community organizations, I hope to develop comprehensive plans to combat the threat of flooding within Cambridge. The economic cost and toll on families within Cambridge is something I want to actively prevent.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

I believe that these three goals are not separate issues, but rather are inherently connected through our vision for a more livable Cambridge. We can expand the Safe Routes to School program, create more protected bike lanes, and, via suggestions from the 2016 Cambridge Climate Congress, I believe we can host more community meetings with city councillors focused on informing residents about how to install solar panels, compost, use public transport, bike, and reduce environmental impact. By creating a more affordable Cambridge, we expand possibilities for residents to focus on their environmental impact rather than whether or not they can continue to live in their homes.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

I see those homeless and those struggling to make ends meet as the communities most susceptible to the impacts of climate change. These people stricken by poverty and instability aren’t able to protect themselves as easily from dangerous weather, rising sea levels, heat waves, and rising food prices. To partner with these communities, I would host community forums to both hear the concerns of Cambridge residents as well as to spread awareness about Cambridge initiatives and how it impacts them.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

I believe it is essential to protect long-term health of our citizens and our environment even if it places limits on the academic institutions and businesses of Cambridge. An overarching goal I have for Cambridge and the institutions that thrive here is to cut GHG emissions by 30%. This means placing restrictions on how our institutions and companies handle waste. As well as creating incentives that lead them to renewable resources and more energy efficient technology. Cities tend to be warmer than suburban or rural areas that surround it, otherwise known as the urban heat island effect, which not only causes air conditioning bill to be higher, which can be a strain on lower income families, but can be very dangerous to the homeless that live in Cambridge. There are several ways to try and combat this. A fairly easy one that I would implement is creating “green roofs” which is quite simply putting plants on a roof. Other things I would put in place to try and reduce effect is planting more trees along the street and creating more green spaces. An essential part of guaranteeing the long-term health of the residents of this city is creating a committee that will track the progress of the city and make sure that we are hitting our goals. If elected to city council I would pursue the creation of such a committee to make sure that the people living here can feel secure in the safety of their city and their health.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

Proactive strategies are the best way to protect our city from the issues of the seemingly inevitable continuation of climate change. My priorities are finding places to create more green spaces, expand public transportation, reduce flooding, and incentivize recycling and composting. Creating green spaces not only helps with the urban heat island effect, but also starts to bring back ecologies that were lost in the process of urbanization and help to reduce flooding in areas that are prone to an excess of water. Flooding in urban areas is due, in part, to the removal of vegetation and permeable surfaces. In addition to green spaces, I would prioritize using permeable pavements. In order to increase the effectiveness of this project, I would use information collected by the USGS, United States Geological Survey, to identify the areas that need to most help with flooding. I would work to replace unused sidewalks and concrete with native plant green space. Additionally, I would prioritize is creating incentives for using public transportation and better recycling and composting habits for the city of Cambridge. A good first step increasing accessibility. By creating more drop-off locations, there will be little reason for residents to not participate. I also hope to incentivize restaurants and stores to offer recycling and composting options. I would implement multiple proactive strategies aimed to make Cambridge a safer and more environmentally friendly city.

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

Some of the most vulnerable people during and after extreme weather events are low-income families, elderly people, and homeless people. Our first priority is to provide immediate housing, food, water, and other basic necessities for those who don’t have the means to evacuate when it’s deemed necessary. As a city, we must ensure usage of a family reunification program to ensure that those who get separated from their loved ones during a disaster are able to relatively easily find them again. It’s also important, in light of these future extreme weather events, to ensure Cambridge residents are aware of insurance options for their homes -- I advocate for more public forums to inform residents. It’s critical that we coordinate effectively with hospitals, first responders, and federal agencies to ensure a plan is implemented smoothly during disaster events.

In the face of our shared climate realities, what are your top three priorities for Cambridge as a city councilor?

Adopt clear development standards and building policies to mitigate the impact of the severe flooding we anticipate. This will most likely be a part of the CCPR plan releasing next year and I intend to focus on setting up systems of continuous improvement to the CCPR plan.

Fuel transition: a) Grow the electric vehicle charging network to encourage phasing away from ICE vehicles. b) Implement clear policy that can help buildings currently using natural gas transition in order to meet our goal of 100% renewable energy.

Work to divest Cambridge from the fossil fuel industry.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

Housing affordability in Cambridge puts financial pressure on every other aspect of life here. The impact of climate change will have a multiplying effect and exacerbate the financial gap already present between sections of our community. This will challenge the fortitude of our institutions and I believe the steps we take now will make all the difference in guaranteeing future equitable living. Implementing standards and projects to reduce the impact of Climate events such as accounting for flooding during development and renovation will help mitigate the cost. Also, putting in place lifelines and aide programs to help those who are impacted will reduce the societal stratification and polarization these events will cause.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

Many if not most of our neighbors will be vulnerable. Non-english speakers and ESOL residents who might have difficulty receiving critical information, elderly and people with mobility handicaps especially if they live alone, families with young children might not be able to react quickly and people with pets create a unique but serious issue during large flooding events. After a severe climate event every neighbor who is financially stretched is at risk. Disaster preparedness in Cambridge must be reviewed for improvements regularly and should be part of the CCPR. Also, I will begin taking steps for a relief fund specifically to assist our vulnerable community members affected by climate events.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

Clear guidelines and expectations can be enforced through permitting and zoning. These would include ‘green’ open space areas instead of concrete and encouraging NetZero growth and expansion. Green areas have been shown to decrease local temperatures and hold H2O which creates a more livable environment. Entities with large properties are also in critical positions to take steps to mitigate the effects of large flood events and be a part of the post event plan. New development should account for this.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

I will work with the initiative already in process (CCPR) and make sure a continuous improvement and review system is implemented. Solar power is our best option for renewable energy in our area and I would continue to grow on the initiatives already in place such as no-fee assessments currently being offered.

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

Cambridge’s CCPR plan should be reviewed regularly and include ongoing assessments of other cities after they are impacted by climate events so best practices can be leveraged and initiatives which proved impractical excluded. Our execution during a disaster event will reflect our efforts on planning, that includes specifically protecting vulnerable populations. On top of the CCPR I will begin the process of growing a climate disaster fund.

How would you connect the goals of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and healthy transportation to create a more resilient, equitable, and just Cambridge?

Research shows that building with density creates sustainable neighborhoods. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is key to connecting affordability, sustainability and transportation. We should utilize Chapter 40R in areas where this can be achieved. 40R also gives us access to stand funds to mitigate infrastructure and environmental impacts.

Who do you see as the most vulnerable or marginalized communities affected by climate change and how would you partner with those communities?

The Port. Flooding.

In our shared climate reality, equitable and sustainable land use (public and private) becomes more important than in the past. What limits on activities by commercial, academic, industrial, and financial entities that may not prioritize residents and public space would you do to ensure the long-term health and safety of the city and its residents?

Integrate passive construction. More green space incorporated with new construction. Roof gardens, rainwater retention for non-potable reuse, explore home energy audit scores for homes and commercial spaces so buyers can have information up-front before purchase.

What proactive strategies would you do to prioritize sustainable transportation facilities, limit development of flood-prone areas, restore our urban ecologies, create locally generated renewable energy, and support urban agriculture to better adapt to climate change and prepare extreme weather events?

We need to rehab our impervious surfaces to prevent flooding. For instance, as we develop Alewife we must re-think how we can reduce pavement and increase green space. We must also review sewer capacity to ensure our system can handle a major storm.

How would you better protect those most vulnerable during and after future extreme weather events like we've seen with Harvey? (For example, right to remain policies, flood insurance assistance, and avoid overloading city services through community partnership)?

Flood insurance assistance is an interesting idea. This issue really comes down to advocating for greater state and federal resources for extreme weather response and rebuilding.